Death of Australian player weighs heavy on team

KRISTI EATON
Associated PressPublished: April 23, 2014 4:40PM

ADA, Okla. (AP) -- The death of an Australian baseball player last summer has left a void for his college team in Oklahoma.

Twenty-two-year Chris Lane of Melbourne was preparing to enter his senior season at East Central University when he was gunned down last August. Four people have been charged in the killing, including three teenagers. One teen allegedly told authorities they did it because they were bored.

Lane's memory has never been far from his teammate's minds throughout the season. They honor him before each game with a moment of silence and wear batting practice jerseys with his No. 7 on them. His jersey was also retired.

East Central coach Dino Rosato says the fall was difficult for the team, but the players came together and have supported each other.